1930 Nash 480 top speed?

[andyana jones]

I’m considering buying a 4 door 1930 Nash 480 with the big 6 motor. Can it go 50-55mph without an engine swap? Don’t want to buy it and be stuck only taking it to the ice cream shop down the street without a small block Chevy swap. 

Thanks in advance.

[JFranklin]

It should be ok at 50MPH it depends on the condition of the drive train. You can always fit different gearing or overdrive.

[edinmass]

Sustained speed will tear it apart. Nice car, but think 35-40 as a safe sweet spot. Any more and you can scatter it.

[alsancle]

Short answer: no.

[JFranklin]

40 minutes ago, alsancle said:

Short answer: no.

Not arguing, but how come a '28 Ford can run those speeds all day and the Nash can not?

[alsancle]

1 hour ago, JFranklin said:

Not arguing, but how come a '28 Ford can run those speeds all day and the Nash can not?

 

A stock one?  I didn't know it could.  

 

Typically all stock cars except for the high end stuff of that era were not designed to go very fast for very long until much later.    

 

Even my 49 Plymouth labored at 60mph and was a lot happier at 50.

[JFranklin]

My model A Ford smooths out above 45 MPH It is stock and a 4dr. I also have a '48 Plymouth that doesn't mind 60 but starts to sound busy at 70. I think it is all in the gearing. My '36 Chevrolet starts to frown at  60 but it has a 4-11 rear.

[andyana jones]

How difficult is it to re-gear the rear end? I know in my 78 CJ it’s just a matter of buying the new ring and pinion set…but how widely/easily available are new gears for a 1930 Nash? 

[edinmass]

Making a Nash go fast is not a good idea. Chassis, steering, and brakes are all very light. If you want to drive 55, buy a car that’s comfortable doing it stock. The reason the small cars are not expensive is they aren’t reliable at today’s modern speeds......no fault of the car.

[JFranklin]

On 8/9/2021 at 5:24 PM, edinmass said:

Making a Nash go fast is not a good idea. Chassis, steering, and brakes are all very light. If you want to drive 55, buy a car that’s comfortable doing it stock. The reason the small cars are not expensive is they aren’t reliable at today’s modern speeds......no fault of the car.

I agree with that but it is the things you note that may cause concern. My model A is stock, albeit with 4 wheel mechanical brakes, but I lived in Los Angeles in the '60s-'70s and used the freeway all the time. My car was my first so maybe I didn't know any better, but I did it and the car always obliged. Drove it to Vegas and Arizona and never had troubles or overheating. I still own and drive this car anywhere I choose to go. I think It is in the manner of operation that is most important. I own a much older Nash 4 cyl. and wouldn't push it more than maybe 45 mph but he was asking about a 1930 Nash.

Edited August 11, 2021 by JFranklin
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